DWP is giving an extra benefit payment to struggling Plymouth families this winter

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Residents struggling with the cost of living crisis will be given extra support this winter, which includes help to pay for food and energy bills. Plymouth City Council has been given a further £2.2 million from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund to help local people during the next six months.

The funding will be used to support residents, with a particular focus on:

• Families with children that are in crisis, facing a cash shortfall or in debt
• Preventing homelessness and supporting those who are affected by homelessness
• Energy grants, supporting older people with fuel payments

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “We’re pleased to have received a further six months of funding from the Household Support Fund, and I would like to thank the Government for this funding. This provides a lifeline to residents struggling with the cost of living which is extra important during the cold winter months.

“We will be targeting our support to the most vulnerable groups in our community, including those unable to afford food and fuel, or people at risk of homelessness, making sure that there is help available for those who need it.”

The way the funding will be distributed in Plymouth has been confirmed following an executive decision signed today. Grants will be given to community organisations to run warm, welcoming spaces during the colder months, with an application process due to open.

The Welcoming Spaces scheme has been running since 2022 to provide people with warm and safe spaces to spend time in. Many of the spaces offer extras such as free Wi-Fi, refreshments or group activities. The funding will be used to provide food vouchers during school holidays to families with children that are eligible for Free School Meals. This will include the upcoming October half-term, Christmas holiday and February 2025 half-term.

The scheme will be distributed directly to residents by Citizens Advice Plymouth via an application process. Eligible applicants will receive food and fuel vouchers, as well as help to purchase essential household goods. There will be a phased approach when the funding opens, determining who is eligible to apply, details of the application process and key dates will be shared on the Council's website.

Applications will reopen in November, for more information, go to the Household support fund on the Plymouth.gov.uk website. Local organisations and charities will also receive funds to help their work, including Plymouth Energy Community (PEC), who support people on a referral basis.

Grants for energy will be available through Plymouth Energy Community, with a particular focus on supporting older people with fuel payments over the winter. Distributing the bulk of energy support through PEC will bring significant added values as people will have access to their on-going core offers of support, information and guidance through the winter months.

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